The Rockets and Jazz are planning a 4-for-1 deal, Markkanen air-driving Houston?

NBA Finals have not officially ended, but the trading market is already extremely lively. Durant, Antetokounmpo, Zion and many other All-Stars have appeared in the free agent market. The Rockets have outstanding record rankings and many young potential stocks. General Manager Rafael Stone has multiple future first-round picks, so they have become the most ideal trading target for each team in the league. Houston fans hope general manager Stone can take this opportunity to get Antetokounmpo and Durant at the same time, thus launching an attack on the NBA championship. Apart from Amen Thompson, the Rockets have no non-selling products. Jaylen Green performed poorly in the playoffs, Shin Kyung moved slowly, and it was easy to miss people on the defensive end. Van Vleet coincided with the contract year, and Ethan and Jabbarri Jr. had only one season left in their rookie contract.

However, Rockets management will have to pay a huge price to facilitate these two deals, and General Manager Stone needs to weigh the pros and cons and repeatedly consider it. Recently, the US media "NBA Analysis Network" suggested that the Rockets management pursues Jazz star Markanen during the offseason this summer. General Manager Anji provided him with a sky-high contract of $196 million last summer, but Markanen's performance obviously does not match his value, which is why Anji intends to sell him. The media provided a 4-for-1 trading offer to the Rockets and Jazz teams. If the negotiations go smoothly, Jabari Jr. will be sent to Salt Lake City as a bargaining chip. The specific trading plan is: the Rockets send Jabari Jr. Smith + Dillon Brooks + Jock Landale + the 10th pick in 2025 to get Lauri Markkanen.

According to Jake Weinbach, six teams, the Heat, Pistons, 76ers, Spurs and Rockets, are all interested in Markkanen this summer. Among the 15 players in the Jazz's current contracts include five first-round picks, including Cody Williams, Collier, Kiant George, Hendricks and Sensabo. Although each of them has grown, obviously no one has been able to take on the important task of building the team core, but this year's draft may change this situation, so the Jazz management hopes to accumulate as much as possible for the first round of 2025. To do this, they also need to consider how to deal with the contracts of Markkanen, John Collins, Clarkson and Sexton. Jabbarry Smith Jr. is a college classmate of Jazz starting center Kessler. They have close relationships with each other and have a tacit understanding.

Markkanen is an upgraded version of Jabbarri Smith Jr., averaging 31.4 minutes per game this season, contributing 19 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists, and shooting percentage of 42.3%. Because Jazz head coach Will Hardy firmly implements the system of bad play, he is very cautious about Markanin's use. Young players have more opportunities to shoot and team cooperation has gone into vain. Markanin's lack of presence on the court, and the constant troubles of injuries, this is the fundamental reason for his data decline. The Rockets can provide Markkanen with more shooting opportunities. He and Shin Kyung are both inside players from Europe, with rich scoring methods, stable mid- and long-distance shooting, which can provide the Rockets with sufficient offensive firepower. In addition, Amen Thompson and Tari Ethan can make up for the vacancy after Dillon Brooks left.

All views refer to authoritative American media and are for reference only. Click to follow and recommend fans first.